The committee adopted the report by Stephen HUGHES (PES, UK) broadly approving the proposal under the consultation procedure, subject to a number of mainly technical amendments. MEPs proposed various changes to provide for a system of checks and counter-checks to ensure that the activities of the Agency's main bodies are carried out efficiently. For example, they called for the Bureau to monitor the implementation of the decisions taken by the Governing Board, and for the latter to be fully informed of the activities and decisions of the Bureau. Moreover, the proposal should clearly set out the procedure and criteria for the appointment of the Director, to bring it into line with the selection procedure for the Directors of other Agencies, i.e. the Director should be appointed by the Commission (not by the Governing Board) for a renewable five-year term of office.
Other amendments were aimed at: strengthening the references to a balanced representation of men and women in the governing and management bodies of the Agency; enhancing transparency; recognising the social partners as a specific public; and including national social partners' organisations in the Agency's network with the Member States.